Vocabulary Workshop Level B Unit 8 Choosing the Right Word

Nub

"We have become so engrossed in the minor details of the situation that we have left no time to consider the ___ of the matter," I said.

Pervaded

As we returned to the dressing room after that terrible first half, the whole atmosphere seemed to be ___ by defeat.

Flourish

After finishing the painting, the artist signed his name in big letters with a playful ___.

Evicted

After the protestors had been sleeping in the building for two months, the police finally ___ them.

Capsized

All our hopes and plans were ___ when we learned that we would not be able to attend the music festival.

Swerve

Be careful when you come to the sudden ___ in the road ahead.

Abnormal

Doesn't it seem ___ for a bright young person to show no interest in taking part in any school activities?

Insubordinately

Even though you may think your supervisor is wrong, you won't be able to hold your job if you act ___.

Decrease

Experts predict a ___ in the number of medical school applicants this year due to rising costs of tuition.

Outstripped

Has the ability of human beings to produce new inventions ___ our ability to use them wisely?

Swerved

I'm following a very strict study schedule, but I must admit that I ___ from it when the play-offs were televised.

Pervaded

Months after the fire, a strong scent of charred word ___ the forest.

Onslaught

The first ___ of the disease is marked by a severe fever and the appearance of an ugly rash all over the body.

Quenched

The high spirits with which we had begun the hike were soon ___ when it began to rain.

Prudent

The only advice I can give you is to take the problems one at a time and deal with each in a sensible and ___ way.

Incentive

The possibility of getting a summer job in an office is all the ___ I need to improve my computer skills.

Simultaneously

The train and the car approached the crossing almost ___ and a terrible accident seemed unavoidable.

Quench

There's nothing like pure water to ___ your thirst.

Legible

To get a good grade, make sure that your composition is interesting in content, correct in grammar and spelling, and ___.

Disputatious

Two of the more ___ members of the committee soon got into an argument about where to build the new facility.

Decrease

We have made some progress in cleaning up our community, but that is certainly no reason to ___ our efforts.

Remnant

When the elderly pianist began to play, we were saddened to observe that he had only a(n) ___ of his once great skill.

Catastrophe

When the musicians failed to arrive and the air-conditioning conked out, we realized that the party was becoming a ___.

Flourish

With eager students and able teachers, learning will ___, even though the school building may be old and shabby.